On behalf of the ICD, I am writing to bring to your attention the next major programs, hosted by the ICD in partnership with leading organizations. We are currently accepting applications to attend these programs, and I encourage you to learn more about the themes and topics under discussion in the information below. I would be also grateful if you could share this announcement by forwarding the information below to anyone you think may be interested in attending. We would be delighted to have you involved and to welcome you to Berlin to one of the programs.

Welcome to Germany Meets Slovenia: A Forum for Young Leaders, a program, designed for and aimed at Germans and Slovenians, hosted by the ICD in partnership with the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other leading organizations. The principal focus of “Germany Meets Slovenia: A Forum for Young Leaders” is to develop both a real and a virtual network of young leaders committed to building and sustaining lasting ties between Germany and Slovenia in the fields of politics, academia, science, media, business and culture, thereby strengthening the bilateral relationship. The network is supported through a diverse range of ongoing activity and is highlighted each year by a weeklong study tour for new members, which alternates between Slovenia and Germany.

As an independently developed and organized program, GMS offers a unique opportunity for institutes and companies and their aspiring leaders to come together and foster wider, deeper German-Slovenian relations on a business, cultural and political level. This in turn will develop a wider understanding of intercultural issues, promote personal growth, and contribute to the creation of innovative policy-oriented solutions to issues affecting both countries.

The participants> – Who are the Young Leaders?Young Leaders can be characterised as the decision makers and opinion leaders of tomorrow. They arise from the public, private, and academic sectors and have a unique vision for the future, as well as the courage and the necessary commitment to realise their ideas. Thus, the Young Leaders feature a strong development potential, as well as the ability to be actively involved in the future formation of society. A fundamental interest in the exchange of culture and ideas is more important than previous contact or experience with the respective countries.

Weeklong Symposiums for Young LeadersAt the heart of the program is the personal exchange at yearly summits. These will take place at regular intervals in both participating nations. A group of 24 individuals (ideally equal numbers of participants 12 from each country) will travel for one week through one of the respective countries. The program of the yearly study tours (each year - 1 in Germany and 1 in Slovenia) consists of multiple components:

* Guest speakers representing business, government, academics and technology;* Exposure to various aspects of national and regional culture;* Formal discussions among the participants, with individual participants leading dialogue in their respective fields;* Informal discussions amongst the group of young leaders; * A high-profile conference on a carefully selected topic that is both relevant and current.

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Europe Meets RussiaA Forum for Young Leaders (EMR)(Berlin, Weeklong Seminar, July 4th – 10th 2011)(http://www.icd-emr.org)**Participants of the next EMR weeklong seminar will take part in: " The EU as a Global Actor: From the Inside Out: The Internal Development of the European Union and its Future Role in an Interdependent World “(Berlin, July 7-10, 2011)

The Next EMR Weeklong Seminar will take place in Berlin from July 4th – 10th, 2011and will focus on the theme:"Mutually Assured Dependence: European-Russian Relations in the 21st Century"

Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders (EMR) is an active network of young, dynamic, and influential people from across the world who have an interest in the European-Russian relationship. The program has been developed in recognition of the importance of the relationship between Russia, Europe, and the global political system. Once they have joined the EMR Forum, members are supported by the ICD in organizing leadership initiatives, conducting academic research, and are invited to join the ICD Online Forum - enabling them to share information and communicate with likeminded individuals across the world.

Joining the Forum >>Europe Meets Russia: A Forum for Young Leaders (EMR) is open to all individuals with an interest in international affairs in general, and the European Russian relations in particular. To join the forum you must take part in one of the EMR Weeklong Seminars, which will be held every 4-6 months in Berlin. The next EMR Weeklong Seminar will run from July 4th – 10th 2011.

If you would like to be considered for a place in the Weeklong Seminar please click here

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with headquarters in Berlin, Germany. The goal of the ICD is to promote global peace and stability through strengthening and supporting intercultural relations at all levels. Over the past decade the ICD has grown to become one of Europe’s largest independent cultural exchange organizations, whose programs facilitate interaction between individuals of all cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds, from across the world.